Multifunctional game call

ABSTRACT

An animal call for use by a user. The call includes a call producing portion including a resonance cavity and a reed operatively coupled to the resonance cavity to convert vibrations of the reed into sound waves. The resonance cavity has first and second ends. A mouthpiece is connected to the first end of the resonance cavity. The mouthpiece receives air from the user and channels the air onto the reed to create the vibration therein. A megaphone is connected to the second end of the resonance cavity and amplifies sound waves produced within the call producing portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of game calls used to reproduce the call of various animals, and is particularly concerned with a multifunctional call.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to use calls to reproduce the call of wild animals. For example, hunters and animal photographers, among others, have an interest in producing calls resembling the call of the animal they are hunting so as to deceive the animal into believing that another animal of the same species is in the vicinity. In some cases, the hunter will try to reproduce the call of a female in heat to get the attention of a male, or the call of a calf or any yearling in distress to deceive a female.

The prior art shows a variety of similar devices, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,513 shows a call that can reproduce calls from various animals by changing reeds. One throat element and associated reed produces the sound of a duck, whereas the other throat element and associated reed produces the sound of a goose.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,130 shows a goose call wherein the short mouthpiece of the call is provided with a bushing which telescopically mounts in the mouthpiece bore. A relatively long belled tube mounts to the bushing in order to produce a sound-projecting megaphone effect for the instrument. Further, the reed is truncated in comparison with the reed of a conventional reed assembly, to an extent such that the free end of the reed is substantially coincident with the end edge of the sound trough.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,530 shows a wild game call mouthpiece of generally tubular form with a generally rectangular lip extending out from its cylindrical surface at its inlet end. The lip has lateral edges which transition into the tubular body near the inlet opening. In the central region of the lip, beginning from its distal end and continuing towards its proximal end, is a depression which extends generally midway to the lateral edges, and which becomes more pronounced near the inlet opening of the call. Then, past the zone where the lip transitions into the tubular body, is a curved, hollowed-out zone which creates the beginning of a resonating chamber which extends back through the center of the tubular body.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,933 shows a game call apparatus of improved configuration having a two part body that includes first and second hollow tubular members that, each have a hollow bore section. The tubular members and provide an open-ended longitudinally extending bore when they are assembled together. The first and second tubular members have correspondingly shaped connectable threads that engage and connect when the two tubular members are assembled together. One of the tubular sections provides a groove to which is attached an O-ring. The o-ring defines a stop that limits travel of one tubular member relative to the other when the threaded connection is made to join them together. By acting as such a stop, the O-ring and threaded connection arrangement insures that the game call will always be reassembled in exactly the same position after it has been disassembled for cleaning.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,270 shows a modular elk call system comprising generally a mouthpiece assembly, a tubular portion, and a resonance producing end. The mouthpiece assembly can be completely removed from the call to enable tubular section and resonance producing end piece to be used separately with any other type of call. The mouthpiece assembly comprises a detachable snap-on diaphragm that insures accurate consistent tension of the membrane to allow high quality tones to be produced.

Typically, calls have only a limited number of functions. In most of the calls, the function is to reproduce the call of the animal. However, it would be much more realistic to be able to reproduce many sounds produced by the animal besides their call, which is a functionality that is typically not provided in existing calls.

Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide a multifunctional game call.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a multifunctional call.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multifunctional call comprises a call producing portion including a resonance cavity and a reed operatively coupled to the resonance cavity to convert vibrations of the reed into sound waves. The resonance cavity has first and second ends. A mouthpiece is connected to the first end of the resonance cavity. The mouthpiece receives air from the user and channels the air onto the reed to create vibrations therein. A megaphone is connected to the second end of the resonance cavity and amplifies sound waves produced within the call producing portion.

In some embodiments of the invention, the megaphone includes one or more tuning holes to vary in intensity and frequency the sounds produced by the call.

In some embodiments of the invention, the megaphone includes a device which reproduces the sound of cracking branches.

In some embodiments of the invention, the call also includes a texturing on the outer surface of the megaphone part which, when rubbed against trees or branches can imitate the sound of an animal rubbing its antlers against a tree or branch. The megaphone can also be used for creating the sound of hoofs on the ground.

Advantageously, the call allows for the production of a relatively large variety of sounds from a relatively simple device. This large variety provides a relatively large number of options for the user of the call in producing sounds that are supposed to fake the presence of an animal.

In a variant, the call is configured to fake the presence of a moose. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the call is configured to fake the presence of any other game.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top elevational view of a call according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the call of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is an exploded top view of the call of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the call of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevational view of the call of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a call 10 including a call producing portion 12 connected at one end thereof to a mouthpiece 14 and at the other end thereof to a megaphone 16. A sound is produced when a user blows into the mouthpiece 14 and the sound is amplified by the megaphone 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, the call producing portion 12 includes a resonance cavity 18 defined by a resonance cavity peripheral wall 19. The resonance cavity 18 is substantially elongated and opened at both ends thereof. The resonance cavity peripheral wall 19 has first and second end portions 20 and 22 and a central portion 26 from which the first and second end portions 20 and 22 extend. The first end portion 20 is substantially narrower than the central portion 26. This first end portion 20 receives the mouthpiece 14, while the second end portion attaches to the megaphone 16.

A reed 24 is connected to the resonance cavity 18 at the first end portion 20. The second end portion 22 is threaded for engaging corresponding threads 25 defined within an interior surface of the megaphone 16, which will be described in further detail hereinbelow.

The reed 24 is operatively coupled to the resonance cavity 18 and to the resonance cavity peripheral wall 19 to convert vibrations of the reed 24 into sounds waves. Such a conversion of vibrations of a reed into sound waves through a resonance cavity is well known in the art and will therefore not be described in further details.

In the example of implementation shown in the drawings, the central portion 26 is substantially elongated and generally tubular. The central portion 26 includes a plurality of substantially circumferential ribs 28 separated by circumferential grooves 30. The exact shape of the ribs and grooves 28 and 30, along with the material used to manufacture the resonance cavity peripheral wall 19, determine the sound that is produced by the call 10. Accordingly, depending upon the exact manner in which the resonance cavity peripheral wall 19 is manufactured, different calls are produced. Such manners of adapting the shape and composition of a peripheral wall defining a resonance cavity to a call to produce is well known in the art and will therefore not be described in further details herein.

The mouthpiece 14 includes a substantially tubular member 34. When the mouthpiece 14 is connected to the call producing portion 12, an interior portion 36 of the tubular member 34 receives the end portion 20 and the reed 24 at least in part.

The mouthpiece 14 frictionally engages the end portion 20 and is thereby releasably connected to the call producing portion 12. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece 14 is connected to the call producing portion 12 in any other suitable manner. In yet other embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece 14 is permanently secured to the call producing portion 12

In some embodiments of the invention, the mouthpiece 14 in addition to guiding air towards the reed 24, is also flexible and therefore allows a user to abut the mouth piece 14 onto the reed 24 to produce alternative calls.

The megaphone 16 is threadable onto the second end portion 22. The megaphone 16 includes a megaphone peripheral wall 37 defining an exterior surface 39 and an interior surface 41. The peripheral wall 37 includes a substantially cylindrical section 38 from which extends a substantially tapered section 40 having a substantially oblong cross section and tapered towards the cylindrical section 38.

The substantially cylindrical section 38 includes threads 25 formed into the interior surface 39. The threads 25 are for receiving the threads of the second end portion 22. Therefore, the megaphone 16 is releasably connected to the call producing portion 12.

As better illustrated on FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, the tapered section 40 includes a substantially flat wall portion 100 and a substantially curved wall portion 102 shaped substantially similarly to an arc of a frustoconical shell and provided in opposition to the flat wall portion 100. The curved wall portion 102 and the flat wall portion 100 are interconnected by substantially opposite connecting wall portions 104 and 106. The curved wall portion 102 extends away from the cylindrical section 38 substantially less than the flat wall portion 100.

The tapered section 40 defines an end aperture 146 at an extremity thereof. The end aperture 146 is surrounded by a rim 47 of the tapered portion 40. The rim 47 includes a wave-like pattern 49 in a portion of the rim 47 provided in the flat wall portion 100.

Although a specific example of a megaphone 16 is described hereinabove, it is within the scope of the invention to have megaphones of any suitable shape.

Referring to FIG. 1A, in some embodiments of the invention, a branch cracking imitator 46 is provided within the megaphone 16. The branch cracking imitator 46 is however not present in alternative embodiments of the invention.

The branch cracking imitator 46 includes first and second legs 48 and 50 connected through a biasing element 51 that allows the first and second legs 48 and 50 to pivot with respect to each other. The biasing element 51 further biases the first and second legs 48 and 50 towards each other. An example of a suitable branch cracking imitator 46 is an alligator clip of a type that is commonly known in the art.

In some embodiments of the invention, the branch cracking imitator 46 is mounted within the megaphone 16 through a rivet 54 as shown in the drawings. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the branch cracking imitator 46 is connected to the megaphone 16 in any other suitable manner.

In some embodiments of the invention, a tuning aperture 56 is provided within the peripheral wall 37. In other embodiments of the invention, the plurality of tuning apertures is provided into the peripheral wall 37. In yet other embodiments of the invention, no tuning aperture is provided into the peripheral wall 37. The tuning aperture 56 is substantially circular and extends from the external surface 39 to the internal surface 41 of the peripheral wall 37.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tuning aperture is sized such that a finger of the user relatively easily either blocks or leaves free the tuning aperture 56. The tuning aperture 56 allows for tuning the frequency and tonality of the calls produced by the call producing portion 12.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tuning aperture 56 is provided in proximity to a junction between the cylindrical section 38 and the tapered section 40. However, it's within the scope of the invention to locate the tuning aperture 56 at any suitable location.

Another part that is provided in some embodiments of the invention is a handle 58. The handle 58 is attached to the call producing portion 12. In some embodiments of the invention, the handle 58 includes a loop of rope, or any other suitable structure that is fastened to the call producing portion 12.

The call 10 is manufactured using any suitable material. In some embodiments of the invention, the call 10 is manufactured using a polymer. In this case, a suitable choice of polymer and of thickness of the various walls that are included into the call 10 allow changing the sound produced by the call 10 to imitate any desired animal.

In use, many calls are produced by the call 10, a few examples being given herein below. First, when the call 10 is assembled, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, the user has option of blowing into the mouthpiece 14 and thereby produce the call of an animal.

By varying way in which air is blown into the mouthpiece 14, an experienced user produces a variety of sounds. In addition, by bending the mouthpiece 14 so that the reed 24 contacts the mouthpiece 14, the sound produced by the call 10 are also varied.

The tuning aperture 56 further allows a modulation of the frequency and tonality of sounds-produced by the call 10.

Another manner of producing a sound using the call 10 involves removing the mouthpiece 14 from the end portion 20 and putting the reed 24 within the mouth of the user. In this case, it is the lips of the user that make the reed 24 vibrate in a manner that is well known in the art, and which thereby produces a different sound.

Through experimentation, a user learns to produce various sounds, such as the sound of a male moose, a calf, or cow, among others.

In addition to the above-mentioned calls, the call 10 allows for the production of other sounds that are representative of animals. For example, pinching the legs 48 and 50 towards each other against the biasing element 51, and thereafter releasing the two legs 48 and 50 produces a cracking sound that imitates the cracking of a branch. Also, by unthreading the call producing portion 12 from the megaphone 16, it is possible to use the megaphone 16 itself to produce sounds imitating the sounds produced by the horns that rub a tree or hoofs tapping or pounding the ground. This is accomplished by rubbing the megaphone 16 against a tree, a branch or the ground.

In another manner of producing a sound, pouring water into the megaphone 16 and modulating a flow of water exiting from the megaphone 16 allows for the imitation of the noise of a female moose urinating.

Although the call 10 has described with respect to specific embodiments of the invention and to specific noises that are produced by the call 10, it is within the scope of the invention to have calls having any other suitable functionality to produce noises imitating an animal. Also, while the call 10 has been described mainly with regard to imitating a moose, it is within the scope of the invention to have calls similar to the call 10 that imitate the noises made by any other suitable animal.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A multipurpose animal call, comprising: a call-producing portion including a resonance cavity and a reed operatively coupled to said resonance cavity to convert vibrations of said reed into a sound wave, said resonance cavity having first and second ends; a mouthpiece connected to said first end of said resonance cavity, said mouthpiece receiving air from the user and channeling the air onto said reed to create vibrations therein; and a megaphone connected to said second end of said resonance cavity for amplifying sound waves produced within said call-producing portion.
 2. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: said resonance cavity defined by a resonance cavity peripheral wall and being substantially elongated and opened at both ends thereof;
 3. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: said resonance cavity peripheral wall having a first and a second end portions and a central portion from which said first and said second end portions extend;
 4. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 3 wherein: said first end portion receiving said mouthpiece and said second end portion attaching to said megaphone.
 5. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 3 wherein: said second end portion being threaded for engaging corresponding threads defined within an interior surface of said megaphone;
 6. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 3 wherein: said central portion being substantially elongated and generally tubular.
 7. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 6 wherein: said central portion further including a plurality of substantially circumferential ribs separated by circumferential grooves.
 8. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: said mouthpiece includes a substantially tubular member wherein said tubular member receives said end portion and said reed at least in part.
 9. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 3 wherein: said mouthpiece releasably connected engaging said end portion. (other embodiments it is integral)
 10. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: said mouthpiece being flexible so as to allow a user to abut said mouthpiece onto said reed to produce alternate calls.
 11. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 3 wherein: said megaphone being threadable onto said second end portion.
 12. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: said megaphone further comprised of a megaphone peripheral wall defining an exterior surface and an interior surface;
 13. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 12 wherein: said peripheral wall including a substantially cylindrical section from which extends a substantially tapered section having a substantially oblong cross section and tapered towards said cylindrical section; said tapered section including a substantially flat wall portion and a substantially curved wall portion shaped substantially similarly to an arc of a frustoconical shell and provided in opposition to the flat wall portion; said curved wall portion and said flat wall portion being interconnected by substantially opposite connecting wall portions; said curved wall portion extending away from said cylindrical section substantially less than said flat wall portion.
 14. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 13 wherein: said tapered section defining an end aperture at an extremity thereof; said end aperture being surrounded by a rim of said tapered portion; said rim including a wave-like pattern in a portion of said rim provided in said flat wall portion.
 15. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: a branch cracking imitator is positioned within said megaphone.
 16. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 15 wherein: said branch cracking imitator including first and second legs connected through a biasing element allowing said first and said second legs to pivot with respect to each other.
 17. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 1 wherein: at least one tuning aperture provided within a peripheral wall.
 18. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 17 wherein: a plurality of tuning apertures provided into said peripheral wall; said plurality of tuning aperture allowing for tuning the frequency and tonality of the calls produced by said call producing portion.
 19. A multipurpose animal call as in claim 17 wherein: said tuning aperture located proximal a junction between said cylindrical section and said tapered section. 